Shoe tongue stabilization system and method

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for stabilizing a tongue of a shoe is described. The shoe has a pair of facings that at least partially envelope the tongue. The apparatus includes a cord having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the cord having an attachment mechanism for attaching to the tongue of the shoe. The apparatus further includes a toggle connected with the distal end of the cord, the toggle being configured to attach to one of the pair of facings.

BACKGROUND

An important aspect of footwear, if not the most important aspect, isfit. A proper fit of a shoe on a person's foot is critical to thecomfort, wear, performance and utility of the shoe. This is ofparticular importance in footwear such as running shoes, cross-trainers,and other active wear shoes.

While different styles and brands of footwear vary in theirconstruction, most include an outsole, a midsole on top of the outsole,and an upper connected to the midsole. The upper can typically include atoe box, a heel counter, a tongue, and a pair of facings that areconnected together over the tongue. The facings can be connected bylacing that is threaded through an arrangement of eyelets through aperipheral portion of each facing. The eyelets can either be holes orapertures in the facings, or can include a metal grommet or eyeletpunch. Further, the eyelets can be fabric loops that are sewn to eachfacing, such as with outdoor footwear like hiking boots or the like.

One major source of a lack of proper fit of a shoe, and thereforediscomfort for the wearer, is that the tongue will often slide out ofplace. Usually the tongue will slide laterally toward an outer side ofthe wearer's foot, especially given the contour of an average foot toangle down and outwardly from a midpoint. Sometimes the tongue maygather up and slide down forward on the wearer's foot.

Many systems have been devised for attempting to inhibit “tongue slide”which leads to discomfort and inadequate fit. These systems can includea loop sewn into an outer surface of the tongue, which is then threadedby the lacings used to tighten the facings together. Or, some shoesinclude an elastic fabric or cloth that is sewn at both an edge of thetongue and an inner portion of each facing. Still other systems havebeen developed, but none of these conventional systems for inhibitingtongue slide have proven effective, both from a performance and amanufacturing standpoint. Further, many of these systems will not allowthe shoe to be put on or taken off with ease. What is needed is a cost-and performance-effective system and method for preventing tongue slidein shoes when worn by a wearer.

SUMMARY

This document presents a system and method for shoe tonguestabilization.

In one aspect, an apparatus for stabilizing a tongue of a shoe having apair of facings that at least partially envelope the tongue includes acord having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of thecord having an attachment mechanism for attaching to the tongue of theshoe. The apparatus further includes a toggle connected with the distalend of the cord, the toggle being configured to attach to one of thepair of facings.

In another aspect, a footwear includes a sole and an upper attached tothe sole. The upper includes a tongue and a pair of facings that atleast partially envelope the tongue. The footwear further includes acord having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of thecord having an attachment mechanism for attaching to the tongue of theshoe. The footwear further includes a toggle connected with the distalend of the cord, the toggle being configured to attach to one of thepair of facings.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features and advantages willbe apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects will now be described in detail with referenceto the following drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a shoe tongue stabilization apparatus in accordance withimplementations described herein;

FIG. 2 shows a shoe tongue stabilization system in accordance withalternative implementations;

FIG. 3 illustrates two shoe tongue stabilization apparatuses attached toa tongue of a shoe;

FIG. 4 illustrates two shoe tongue stabilization apparatuses attached toa tongue of a shoe in an “X” configuration;

FIG. 5 shows a shoe having a tongue and a tongue stabilizationmechanism;

FIG. 6 shows a shoe tongue with a tongue stabilization mechanism;

FIG. 7 illustrates a tongue stabilization mechanism having an attachmentmechanism at a proximal end and an eyelet interface at a distal end.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This document describes apparatuses, systems and methods for stabilizinga shoe tongue, in order to inhibit tongue slide from occurring while awearer is wearing a shoe with the tongue. By inhibiting tongue slide,either laterally or toward the toe, the apparatuses, systems and methodsdescribed herein can improve comfort, wear, performance and utility ofthe shoe, and in a cost-effective manner. Further, the apparatuses andsystems described herein are simple to manufacture and either retrofitexisting shoes, or be added to newly-manufactured shoes.

FIG. 1 shows a shoe tongue stabilization apparatus 100. The apparatus100 includes a cord 102 having a proximal end 104 for attaching to atongue of a shoe (not shown), and a distal end 106. The distal end 106of the cord 102 includes a toggle 108 that is sized and configured suchthat the toggle 108 can be inserted through an eyelet of a facing of ashoe.

The cord 102 can be elastic or inelastic. In some implementations, thecord 102 is formed of a weave or lace that provides a limited ormeasured amount of elasticity. For instance, the cord 102 can be formedof cotton, nylon, Dynema®, or any other natural or synthetic strand ofmaterial. In other implementations, the cord 102 can be formed of anelastic core material with a sheath of a cloth material. In still yetother implementations, the cord 102 can be formed of a plastic, a metal,such as a wire or a band, or any other material.

The cord 102 can have a length of approximately 1 inch, but can also be0.5 to 1.5 inches, or in yet other implementations can be 0.25 to 2.5inches in length. If the cord 102 is formed of an elastic material orconstruction, the cord 102 can extend and stretch to 50% to 400% of itslength at rest.

The proximal end 104 for attaching to the tongue of the shoe can includeany of a number of attachment mechanisms, including but not limited to,glues, snaps, hook and loop mechanisms, staples, rivets, screws andbolts, or the like. Further, the proximal end 104 of the cord 102 caninclude a hook for engaging a similar or corresponding hook orreceptacle on the tongue. For instance, the proximal end 104 of the cord102 can include the hook or the loop portion of a hook and loopmechanism, while the tongue can include the loop or hook portionrespectively. The proximal end 104 of the cord 102 can be attachedanywhere on the tongue, but is preferably attached to an upper portionof the tongue.

The toggle 108 connected with the distal end 106 of the cord 102 can bea full or partial cylindrical member, wrapped around fabric at thedistal end 106 of the cord 102. The toggle 108 can have a diameter so asto fit through an eyelet of a facing of the shoe, either alone or with alace that is already threaded through the eyelet. The toggle 108 can bea rod or member formed of plastic or a coating over the distal end ofthe cord, which can be rolled onto itself.

FIG. 2 shows a shoe tongue stabilization apparatus such as in FIG. 1,but having one of a hook and loop connection system 120 for connectingto a tongue of a shoe. The apparatus shown in FIG. 2 shows the hookcomponent of the hook and loop connection system, while the loopcomponent can be sewn, glued, or otherwise attached to the tongue of theshoe as a connecting region. In some implementations, only an inner sideof the tongue needs the tongue stabilization apparatus. In otherimplementations, both sides include the tongue stabilization apparatus.The hook or loop component of the hook and loop connection system 120can also be glued, sewn, snapped, or otherwise attached to a proximalend of the cord. The cord can be elastic for a comfort application, ormay be inelastic for a performance application in which the shoe, aswell as the tongue, might experience severe forces.

As shown in FIG. 3, two shoe tongue stabilization apparatuses 200 can beattached to a tongue 202 of a shoe (not shown). In some implementations,only one tongue stabilization apparatus 200 need be attached to a tongue202 of the shoe, on a side of the tongue 202 that faces an inner area ofthe wearer's foot. FIG. 4 illustrates two shoe tongue stabilizationapparatuses attached to a tongue of a shoe in an “X” configuration.

FIG. 5 shows a shoe having a tongue and a tongue stabilizationmechanism. FIG. 6 shows a shoe tongue with a tongue stabilizationmechanism. FIG. 7 illustrates a tongue stabilization mechanism having anattachment mechanism at a proximal end and an eyelet interface at adistal end.

Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, othermodifications are possible. Other embodiments may be within the scope ofthe following claims.

1. An apparatus for stabilizing a tongue of a shoe having a pair offacings that at least partially envelope the tongue, the apparatuscomprising: a cord having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximalend of the cord having an attachment mechanism for attaching to thetongue of the shoe; and a toggle connected with the distal end of thecord, the toggle being configured to attach to one of the pair offacings.
 2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cordis elastic.
 3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein thecord has a length between 0.5 inches and 1.5 inches.
 4. The apparatus inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism include one ofa hook or loop of a hook and loop mechanism.
 5. The apparatus inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the toggle is sized and adapted to fitthrough an eyelet on the one of the pair of facings.
 6. Footwearcomprising a sole; an upper attached to the sole, the upper comprising atongue and a pair of facings that at least partially envelope thetongue; a cord having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal endof the cord having an attachment mechanism for attaching to the tongueof the shoe; and a toggle connected with the distal end of the cord, thetoggle being configured to attach to one of the pair of facings.
 7. Thefootwear in accordance with claim 6, wherein the cord is elastic.
 8. Theapparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein the cord has a lengthbetween 0.5 inches and 1.5 inches.
 9. The apparatus in accordance withclaim 6, wherein the attachment mechanism include one of a hook or loopof a hook and loop mechanism.
 10. The apparatus in accordance with claim6, wherein each of the pair of facings includes a set of eyelets, andwherein the toggle is sized and adapted to fit through one of the set ofeyelet on the one of the pair of facings.